Man, 23, charged 15 months after crash that killed three

The survivor of a fatal single-vehicle crash a little more than a year ago now faces seven charges relating to the accident.

By Austin L. MillerStaff writer

The survivor of a fatal single-vehicle crash a little more than a year ago that was so horrific it split the car in two now faces seven charges relating to the accident, according to officials.

The impact of the Feb. 12, 2012, crash sent the front of the vehicle nearly 115 feet from the point of impact into a parking lot and killed three young men who were left behind with the rear portion of the car.

Andrew Walter Persaud surrendered to the Marion County Jail on Friday and was booked into the facility on three counts of vehicular homicide, three counts of DUI manslaughter and one count of DUI with serious bodily injury.

Persaud is being represented by Andy Pozzuto of the law firm of Alavi, Bird & Pozzuto.

Pozzuto told a Star-Banner reporter that the process will vindicate Persaud. Bond for the 23-year-old Ocala man was set at $210,000.

Court records show Persaud has had several driving infractions in the past, including paying fines for speeding and not having a valid driver’s license.

Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Daphane Yuncker said in her report that around 10 p.m. on Feb. 12, 2012, Persaud was driving his black Honda Civic, which was registered to a deceased relative. At the time, Persaud was driving and with him were Michael Seeram Ramdeholl, 23, of Ocala and Nicolass Hans Bryon, 22, of Belleview.

The trio picked up another friend, and the foursome first stopped at a gas station, before driving to the Ocala Square, where they met with other people.

From there, the report noted, the group stopped at a couple of clubs. Between 1:30 a.m. and 1:40 a.m., the group left in separate vehicles and the plan was to meet at Ramdeholl’s residence.

According to a witness, the Civic was speeding up and slowing down, which the witness said appeared to be an invitation for the witness to join them in a race. The witness said the front right passenger was hanging out the passenger side window and he had his thumbs pointing downward. The roadway, the investigator said, was “wet” and “dark with very little lighting.”

The journey, the witness said, continued from County Road 464 to the intersection of Midway Road in the vicinity of Silver Springs Shores, where Persaud lost control of the car. The Civic crossed the eastbound lane, onto the south shoulder, rotating clockwise, the witness said.

Overturning, the passenger side struck a tree. Continuing east, the car struck a second tree, which spilt it in two.

All five occupants, none of whom were wearing seat belts, were ejected. While the report didn’t mention how fast the car was traveling, at the time of the crash officials said speed was a factor and the speed limit on that stretch of roadway is 55 mph.

The rear portion of the car came to rest on its roof with Bryon, Scanlin, Baker and Ramdeholl outside.

According to the witness and another person who drove up on the accident, the bodies of three of the young men — Bryon, Scanlin and Baker — were mangled, while Ramdeholl was laying face down mere yards of the trio.

The front portion of the car traveled 113 feet, hitting a fire hydrant as it flew into the parking lot. Persaud, who ended up on the ground near the front of the car, was facing up and his head was toward the car, authorities said.

Emergency personnel were called to the scene and Persaud and Bryon were transported to UF Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville, leaving Ramdeholl, Scanlin and Baker at the scene. They were pronounced dead by paramedics.

Blood samples were taken from Persaud and Bryon and results indicated Persaud’s blood alcohol level was .083, while Bryon’s was .043. The state’s legal limit is .08.

An investigation was launched and those who knew the men said Persaud was the exclusive driver of the Civic.

Investigators talked with Bryon and he told them he doesn’t remember the crash, and vaguely recalls much before the crash.

Based on her investigation, Yuncker believed Ramdeholl was sitting in the front, Bryon sitting in the left rear seat, Scanlin was sitting in the middle rear seat and Baker was sitting in the right rear seat.